The low price tempted me enough to buy a chrome S3 2000 with 5cm f1.4 lens last week. I bought a kit from Japan for $1299 on Ebay. I know I could get it cheaper if I waited, but I remember these were much higher in price years ago; $1299 seemed like a good enough deal for me (please don't burst my bubble). To shoot on a solid, mechanical RF kit with a 50 that rivals the Summilux at this price range; I'm happy to dive into new waters and can't wait to start using it.

there must be something nikonians think that makes the sp so much more valued than the s3. what's the deal?

1. S3 has fewer frame lines than the SP.
2. SP has etched in 28 and 35 frame lines (thus its distinctive look) which was a big breakthrough when it came out.
3. SP is "father", if you will, of the Nikon F based on so many shared design features.
4. SP saw significant professional use because of the previous reasons, and...
5. SP can be motorized

The low price tempted me enough to buy a chrome S3 2000 with 5cm f1.4 lens last week. I bought a kit from Japan for $1299 on Ebay. I know I could get it cheaper if I waited, but I remember these were much higher in price years ago; $1299 seemed like a good enough deal for me (please don't burst my bubble). To shoot on a solid, mechanical RF kit with a 50 that rivals the Summilux at this price range; I'm happy to dive into new waters and can't wait to start using it.

Feel good about it, I paid just under $2k for mine and I had to get it out of UK, this was a few years back.
B&H was selling them at the time for $2300 and they were SELLING like hot-cakes!

I am sure the Milenium S3 prices have bottomed out, they are certainly very attractive around $1000

The SP is always more desirable than the S3 because it's considered the flagship of the line, Nikon made 10,000 S3 re-issues but only 2500 SPs, The SP came with the 35mm too, that alone makes them more desirable.

1. S3 has fewer frame lines than the SP.
2. SP has etched in 28 and 35 frame lines (thus its distinctive look) which was a big breakthrough when it came out.
3. SP is "father", if you will, of the Nikon F based on so many shared design features.
4. SP saw significant professional use because of the previous reasons, and...
5. SP can be motorized

recently, a complete, mint S3-2000 (chrome) set with case, boxes, papers, was for sale at a well-known camera shop in Milan, Italy, for 1.400,- Euro. It remained available on their webpage for some weeks, then it found a new owner.

E.L.

__________________The difference between men and boys, is the price of their toys.

My new S3-2000 and 50/1.4 arrived from Japan as new. I've run two rolls through it. Wow, what a camera. Coming from years of M4 and CLE use, I expected it to be quirky according to what I've read, but it's very smooth in operation and is the perfect weight. The RF is easy to focus and seems more precise to me than the M because of the long focus throw. I added a 35/2.5 for just $195 (ad on RFF). It's amazing how small and light the entire kit can be. I feel this is the best bargain RF camera kit made in this new century. Better stop gushing. Now onto getting the pictures developed...

Five a Second. Chicago's Bell & Howell Co. (cameras) announced that it would put on sale this fall the world's most expensive still camera. Its "Foton" will take five 35-mm. pictures a second, sell for $700. Bell & Howell, which has found that "families of both low and high incomes now spend over $550" for movie equipment, hopes to sell 20,000 Fotons a year.

My new S3-2000 and 50/1.4 arrived from Japan as new. I've run two rolls through it. Wow, what a camera. Coming from years of M4 and CLE use, I expected it to be quirky according to what I've read, but it's very smooth in operation and is the perfect weight. The RF is easy to focus and seems more precise to me than the M because of the long focus throw. I added a 35/2.5 for just $195 (ad on RFF). It's amazing how small and light the entire kit can be. I feel this is the best bargain RF camera kit made in this new century. Better stop gushing. Now onto getting the pictures developed...

Great lenses too as you may have noticed with the 50 and soon to notice with the 35.

My only affectation with respect to camera gear is my affection for black bodies.
I had two very nice chrome shooter/beater S3s and a chrome shooter/beater SP (which I don't like as much as the S3s), and I sold the earlier S3 (the 757th one built, from the serial number as I recall) and spent quite a bit of money ($3,000.00) to get one of the re-issued S3 black bodies, complete with the 50 1.4 (a lens I never use and keep in a drawer).
Really and truly, while I know it is stupid to spend a pile of money just to get a black body, if I could find a reasonably priced beater black SP, I'd likely grab it.

I want one of these so bad, but the technicians always recommend avoiding purchasing one due to the lack of replacement part. I would love to have one though.

The Nikon rangefinders from the SP onward are basically a Nikon F without the mirror and SLR viewfinder prism, so just like the Nikon F they rarely break. If they do, anyone who can fix a Nikon F should be able to fix it.

In Japan at least, Nikon Japan still services the reissue rangefinders and lenses, and Kiitos Camera Repair still has plenty of parts for them and the vintage rangefinders.

I have one, body, lens, case that I bought a year ago thinking I wanted it. The set is in new condition cosmetically. I found the lube has hardened from dissuse and have had a very trying year after the loss of my wife. I bought from Japan Camera. I was thinking of selling it to KEH. I am not sure if want to deal with a private buyer due to worry about payment. I would also trade for a M6 ttl body in good condition.

I have one, body, lens, case that I bought a year ago thinking I wanted it. The set is in new condition cosmetically. I found the lube has hardened from dissuse and have had a very trying year after the loss of my wife. I bought from Japan Camera. I was thinking of selling it to KEH. I am not sure if want to deal with a private buyer due to worry about payment. I would also trade for a M6 ttl body in good condition.

No, I did not want to put anymore money into it. Somewhere in this forum is a post about it from me with replies. I have just had no interest in photography for the past year. I think Tom A said to run 50 rolls through it.

Do you mean the focus helical? If so its meant to run dry so there is no lube in there. The reissue Nikon RFs are built to tighter tolerances than the originals, so the focus helical can get squeaky if any dust or dirt gets in there. Its a common problem with the reissues, and an easy fix too.

I sold a perfect, unblemished S3 2000 with a Leicatime half case here around a year ago for $650, so there are deals out there.
Somebody here sold a complete S3 2000 kit with the millennium nikkor 50 for around $1200 or so, which was an even better deal. I think I will go drink a bottle of Southern Comfort now to help me forget the fact I didn't buy that when I had the chance.

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